RAYS POSTCAST: The Tampa Bay Rays CAN’T CATCH A BREAK vs the Cincinnati Reds

RAYS POSTCAST: The Tampa Bay Rays CAN’T CATCH A BREAK vs the Cincinnati Reds

This is the Rays Postcast, your instant game reaction for the Tampa Bay Rays, part of the Locked On podcast network, your team every day. Hello and welcome to Tampa Bay Rays Postcast, your spot for instant race reaction to every single game. My name is Jonathan Shields. Make sure you guys go follow me on Twitter, Johnny10 Shields. Another tough one, guys. I mean, that there’s not really a other way to put it. You know, the the Rays come out and kind of just get kicked in the teeth once again. And it was another game where it felt like a set of breaks didn’t go the Ray’s way. And those were the most important breaks in the game, if that makes sense. So, we’re going to talk about all that. We’re going to talk about did the how the is it time to panic, you know, the how the brakes didn’t fall the Rays way. Alto, I thought was unlucky. He was an out away from another quality start. Uh the Rays are still just a game and a half back from wild card spot. Then we’ll look ahead to see how the Rays can get back on track tomorrow. But first, we’re going to talk about how the brakes not fall the Rays way. This is what you’ll be talking about. One of the more bizarre things I’ve seen this season in the sense of happening during the play is was in the fourth inning after the Rays took the lead, right? the the Reds got a base runner on and it was a ground ball to Aronda and Aronda did everything right. He went in the in the correct throwing lane and the runner ran on the green on the grass to take away the throwing lane. Like I get that strategy to do that, but you know, I’m not I’m not like I’m an expert on the baseline or on the baseline on the base path like kind of runners rule, but that was bizarre to me that you can run on the grass completely block the throw from the first baseman and ended up costing the Reds because if you go back the Reds end up getting bases loaded, nobody out. If you get that out, not even two, if you get that one out, the Reds maybe only score one run and not two and then it’s tied going forward and I think there’s a completely different outcome on the game. And so that’s was kind of like the breaks not falling the Ray’s way. And I think the there’s a few other instances just kind of it felt like every break was going the Red’s way and then I thought the Rays kind of weathered that storm admirably. I thought Latell pitched well to to get through that and only allowed two only getting going being down 3-2 going to six. You know the Rays couldn’t answer and then the sixth inning is where we get to our turning point. Time to reveal where the game was won or lost. It’s the turning point. with two outs in the sixth inning. Latell was one out away from a quality start and you know the nine hole Marte I mean he’s just a demon. He’s kind of like when Simpsons in that role he’s kind of like a second leadoff guy and he again just rips the double and all of a sudden okay you know runner on you know two outs still can still get out of this and then one bad pitch blows the game open and that’s what it was. hotel hung the pitch and the guy I think it only I was when I was watching live I was like man I mean that’s got to be like 430 off the bat and you know ended up only going like 388 or something but that right there was just like the final gut punch. was the inning before the break’s not going the Ray’s way and then that last one was just like man like you know we’re one out away we’re one pitch away from from getting out of this and they just couldn’t get out of it and then I was surprised by the way the bullpen was utilized now you seta is burned for tomorrow he was not going to pitch tomorrow and you know he’s one of your kind of lockown guys and I was surprised the the way um the bullpen was used but you know I don’t know if Angler is still down after pitching a lot of innings two days ago that’s probably the case and he’s been sneaky good. So maybe it’s time the Rays maybe give him a bigger role. But, you know, it’s time to look at this from a a broader sense. The Rays didn’t lose any ground. The Red Sox lost. You know, it’s the Rays are still in a decent spot. Like everyone’s going to sound sound the alarm bells. The Rays have lost three or four. Yes, they have. They’re a game and a half out of a playoff spot still. They are fine. There’s no need to say fire stuff. Fire stuff. Fire still. If they go one and six on this road trip, then yeah, it’s time to say that. Now, it was very important, I thought, to win this first game, similar to the Boston series because of who the Rays face tomorrow. And they face, I think, the most underrated pitcher in baseball. And the Reds ace was, which is Andrew Abbott, who is 8-1 with a 2-1 ERA. I mean, he’s been fantastic this season. I got to see him. I got to see him pitch live when I went to a Cubs game earlier this year, and he dominated the Cubs and, you know, he’s just one of those lefties. Something that the Rays have struggled with. So, tomorrow is going to be a super tall task, but we’ll talk about that a little bit later. Now, is it time to panic? And that’s the million-dollar question right now. Is it time to panic? Is it time to, you know, kind of blow up the team, look toward next year? My answer is no for now. Like, yes, it is time to be frustrated. It is time to be concerned, but time to panic, no, because everything is still in front of the Rays. You’re a game and a half back from a wild card spot. We saw the Blue Jays. is the Blue Jays are I think they’re nine games up on the Rays now. I mean, the it was a month ago the Blue Jays were behind the Rays. There’s still two months to go in the season to see how fast things can change. Yes. Like that trade deadline is kind of that bold thing. It’s like, okay, you know what’s are we going to buy? Are we going to sell? I’m not saying if the Rays buy or sell because I don’t think the Rays are going to be big sellers unless they have just an awful I think if they’re within three games of a playoff spot, they’re not going to be huge sellers. But, you know, I I think it’s going to be interesting to see what they do because tomorrow’s going to be a tough game for the Rays and then Sunday is the game the Rays should win again and then you go to New York and that’s going to really determine the season I think and you know it’s tough. I mean the injuries keep going hot. Kim hurt again. Be loud. I’m not going to come back in at least till Wednesday of the New York series. is kind of just everything falling against them and it’s that it’s just a tough time right now and it’s one if the Rays can battle through it the last six weeks of the season can be something after the two week long road trip the last six weeks is another part where the Rays could take advantage and make another push. So I don’t think it’s time to panic. Now if the Rays get swept in Cincinnati maybe it is. If the Rays go one and six or two and five on this road trip then yes it is. But right now as it stands, I don’t think so. And you know, it’s the beautiful thing about baseball. Get to watch our favorite team every day. But like I always say, I think we get too hung up on the game to game. And you know, it’s frustrating the Ray to come out with a little bit more tenacity after that tough loss to the White Socks. But you know, the the Red’s pitcher was was really good. I mean, you know, Mar you know, Martinez was good tonight. He wasn’t great. was good, you know, but again, Martinez is a guy that really should take advantage of, but this offense sorely misses Bran Laauo, sorely misses um Kim and you still get production from the bottom of the lineup. Not like the Reds got. And you know, you the Reds get what was it? Five RBI’s from the bottom of their lineup. That’s the stuff the Rays got when they were going good. And you know, they’re in a tough spot right now. But if you look at the gap between them and a playoff spot, it’s not something where it’s like, “Oh my gosh, we’re six games back with six teams we need to hop. We’re a game and a half back with only one team to jump to be in the playoffs.” Now, if the Rangers keep winning what they have, it might might be two, but for now, it’s just that one. So, it’s not time to panic. It’s not time to freak out. It’s okay. Everything is still ahead of the Rays. Now, don’t need to tell them these next six games are really going to determine the rest of the season because it’s the biggest sixgame stretch of the year. But we’ll talk more about all that, plus look ahead to the next game for the Rays right after this. This episode is brought to you by Game Time. Have you ever decided at the last minute to head to a ball game with friends or family? Maybe it’s game day and you suddenly realize you want to be in the stands. That’s exactly where Game Time comes in. It’s the easiest way to grab last minute tickets without the stress. With the money you save on tickets, you can splurge on food, drinks, merch, or even invite a bigger group to come with you. Game time makes it possible. Game time makes buying tickets fast and simple. Prices on the app actually drop the closer you get to first pitch. And they’ve got incredible last minute deals, clear seat views, and a lowest price guarantee that takes the worry out of buying. 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Let your colors talk because the color speak louder than the words. That’s game dayh.com code MLB5. All right. So, if you guys are in the live, make sure you leave a comment. See how, you know, talk about how the Rays are doing. How do you guys feel about this race stretch? How you feel about this game? Do you think the Rays are unlucky? Do you agree with me? Is it time to panic? Let me guys let you guys let me know. But let’s talk about Zack Latell because man, he was one out away and he was not his best time. Only two strikeouts, 10 hits. But again, nothing overbear but the two home runs killed him. And it was the solo home run is fine, right? No one on base, solo home run. That’s fine. It’s the break that in the in the fourth inning with the guy on the baseline. Ronda hits his helmet. freak play happens maybe like twice a season and then the two- run home run when you’re a pitch away from getting out of the inning. Just frustrating if I’m Zach Lutell that that’s the way the outing goes. But he almost got through the outing with not pitching his best. He still almost gave a quality start without pitching his best. But that feels like the way there’s a stretch for the Rays have gone. They’ve almost got out of the game. They almost beat Boston before the raffle uh walk-off homer against Pete. They almost came back to him and beat the White Socks, right? Almost isn’t good enough. And you know, at the end of the day, Zack Latell didn’t have his best stuff and it is unfortunate, but it happens. Zack Latell has been consistent as ever. You know, it’s that stretch where only one time since like April 10th, he’s given up more than five runs. Now it’s two. And it’s just tough that the starting pitching is as elite as it was when the bullpen was as bad as it was. You know, again, it goes back to the breaks just not following the Rays way. But let’s look ahead to the game tomorrow. Again, I kind of highlighted it. Andrew Abbott going for the Reds. All-star this year. One of the best pitchers in the National League. I mean, he last time out, six innings, six hits, two runs. I mean, that’s what he’s been doing. He has not he gave up four runs against the Phillies. Besides that, he has only given up more than four four more runs three times this year. He went through a stretch in May where his RA was 0.55. I mean, he has just been elite. To put in perspective, he’s either given up one, two, four, or five earned runs. He’s never given up three runs in a game. I mean, he has just been dominant for the Reds this season. And the Rays need need the biggest outing of the year for Ryan Pepio. They need those six six innings, one-run ball from him. And he got roughed up against the Orioles last time. Six innings, five earned. I mean, he’s a kind of a rough back-to-back starts for him. Obviously, the one before the break was pretty rough for him against Boston as well. Six innings, three earned. But again, they need one of the best starts of the season from Brian Pepio tomorrow. But let’s get to your guys’ comments as we go to Jack’s takes. He says, “At this point, I actually want to see a fire cell and maybe it’s time to get rid of the coaches, too. Not doing nothing of the Don would be a a bad duty at this point. This ain’t working.” Um, I disagree with that pretty strongly. You’re not going to get rid of any coaching staffs and I don’t even think there’ll be a fire cell. Like the biggest name that could move from the Rays is like Pete Fairbanks, for example. They already kind of came out and said they’re not going to trade Yondi unless they get like an insane offer, but you know, I don’t think they necessarily will. And I think this comment is more relevant. We’re missing Below like crazy. Really need him to come back soon and help this offense. It’s a different offense without Brandon Laauo, man. I mean, we literally got to see the lineup with Heisum Kim and Brandon Laauo in the in it in its completion one time. I think what I say 26 innings this season. It might even be less than that. It’s like two games and a half. And it’s just tough when you’re a front office and you put together a lot that you think is going to be there for half the season and it’s only been there for two and a half games. So that’s another thing to um be opt optimistic about. If and Gary says if they could get out of this trip trip still within striking distance for wild card I would sign up for that right now. And again if they get out of this within two or three games I think you’re still in a good spot. Again they could win tomorrow and Boston is facing the Dodgers right now. So, unfortunately, the Rays aren’t winning games to make up ground on Boston like they kind of should be during the stretch when Boston’s facing three of the best teams in baseball right out the break. You know, Cubs, Phillies, now Dodgers, but they’re they’re still right there. You know, that’s the beauty of baseball. 162 games. You got to you got to feel all of them. As we go to Tom Sweeney, he said lackluster game. Appears the Rays never saw a bump before. That was bad. Um definitely some of the Rays need to clean up the bunt defense. I mean, then the fourth inning was like a free-for-all and it was mostly on Zack Lutell. I mean, I I guess the ball didn’t get kind of got stuck in his hand, but yeah, it was still definitely uh definitely tough. As we go to Bates, he says, “Well, we all know we’re selling the deadline now. Pretty season’s pretty much over.” It’s not, guys. You don’t need to think like that. The Rays are a game and a half out of a playoff spot. They’re still right there. If they get a good stretch just of two weeks, that I mean, that could completely flip the season. We now we G has a comment here about how the Blue Jays are the biggest surprise of the year. They are. They have the best record in baseball now. right now because they had a great month at the right time and I’m not even asking for the R to have a great month. The Rays need a great two weeks somehow in the last eight weeks of the season and I think that they’ll be in a really good position as we go to I love Legacy. Do you think the Ray should bring up Curtis Me back up at this point? I think that’ll help. I agree. Um but it’s kind of tough because they reinstate Duca for that spot, but I would send down Koko Montes for Curtis Me. I get they want to give them every day at bats, but at the end of the day, I mean, they they they got to they got to win on the field. They don’t got to win in Durham, right? Like Durham’s great that they’re a great farm system team, but I think Curtis me helps his team more than Kokam Montes at this point. I I I I really really do. And you know, I again guys, you know, a lot of the comments kind of are similar in the sense of a little bit of panic, a little bit of, you know, it’s still okay. It is still okay. Everything is in front of the race. Like, you know, a lot of times I’ll come on here and say it’s all doom and gloom because sometimes it is. Like the last loss against the White Socks was unacceptable. The Razer a game and a half out of a wild card with 55 or something games left to play. There’s a ton of time left. It’s not time to trade everyone. It’s not time to, you know, fire the managers. And I’m going to say this, it’s not time to fire managers. Even with about what I’m about to say, if the Rays go two and two and five on this road trip, then maybe they sell. Maybe they sell Pete Fairbanks. Maybe they I don’t even think they sell bat at this point, you know, but again, it it’s not the end of the world. They’re everything is still in front of the race. Let’s see how they come out tomorrow against one of the best arms in the National League. And I will see you guys after the game tomorrow. I hope all of you will join. If you guys watch the whole video, make sure you guys leave a like, comment, and subscribe. And we will see you guys tomorrow night. Thank you guys all so much for joining.

The Tampa Bay Rays lose big to the Cincinnati Reds 7-2. The Rays offense sputtered once again, only mustering 2 runs. The Reds got the scoring started with a solo homer in the 2nd inning. The Rays would respond in the top of the 3rd with a Jonathan Aranda RBI single. The Rays would take the lead in the top of the 4th with a Taylor Walls RBI double. Everything would go downhill from there. The Reds would immediately answer with 2 in the bottom of the 4th to take the lead and they would not give it up. The Reds would break the game open in the 6th and 7th with 2 runs in each inning to make it 7-2. Zack Littell started for the Rays and battled. He ended up going 6 IP and was 1 out away from a quality start. He would give up a 2 run homer with 2 outs in the 6th that would break the game open. The Rays look to bounce back tomorrow night with Ryan Pepiot on the mound.

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